Newark man allegedly stabs stepfather who threatened to kill cat

NEWARK -- A 46-year-old man, upset after his stepfather reportedly threatened to kill his cat, is facing an attempted murder charge in the older man's stabbing over the weekend.

James Severa, who lives with his mother and his 63-year-old stepfather in a home on Munyan Street, was arrested early Sunday on the felony charge, said Cmdr. Mike Carroll.

Police were dispatched at 12:20 a.m. to the home ¿after a neighbor called 911 to report people arguing outside the home.

Officers found Severa's stepfather with multiple stab wounds to the face, neck and hands, and being tended to by his wife and neighbors.

When officers approached the home, Severa walked out and admitted that he stabbed his stepfather several times with a large kitchen knife.

James Severa, 46

Before the attack, the two had been arguing over a stray cat that Severa had adopted. The heated debate escalated when Severa's stepfather reportedly threatened to kill the pet, Carroll said. Severa admitted he snapped and tried to kill his stepfather, police said.

His stepfather, who was expected to survive, was taken to a hospital to be treated for the stab wounds.

Severa was arrested at the home without incident and on Monday was being held without bail at the Santa Rita Jail. He is set to be arraigned on the charge Tuesday at the Fremont Hall of Justice.